Jaipur : The vibrant celebration of India’s folk traditions continued on the eighth day of the 28th Lok Rang Festival, organized by Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. The festival, which runs until October 17, is witnessing a grand showcase of traditional music and dance from across India, celebrating the country's rich cultural diversity and heritage.
The evening opened with a soulful performance by Rajasthan’s Bhawaru Khan Langa and group, who captivated the audience with their melodic tunes played on traditional instruments like the Sindhi sarangi, khartal, algoza, and morchang. Their rendition of the Charkha song “Ho Bhala Re, Jiyo Bhala Re” set the tone for the evening, followed by a romantic folk song titled “Sundar Gori.”
Artists from Haryana brought energy to the stage with the traditional Ghoomar dance, performing on the folk song “Nandi Ke Bira” in vibrant regional attire, including borlas on their foreheads and kanthi necklaces, presenting a beautiful glimpse into Haryana's cultural identity.
From Deeg, Rajasthan, performers presented the Charukala dance, traditionally performed during the birth celebrations of Shri Radha Raman Ji. Dancers balanced a large structure decorated with 108 oil lamps on their heads, re-enacting the Maha Aarti of Radha’s birth amidst the characters of Krishna, Radha, and Gopis, creating a divine spectacle on stage.
Amit Gameti and group mesmerized the audience with the spiritual Gavari dance, narrating mythological stories and showcasing the essence of divine folklore from Rajasthan. Meanwhile, artists from Madhya Pradesh presented the Gana Gaur dance, a traditional women’s folk dance in devotion to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, performed to pray for an ideal life partner.
The evening took a dramatic turn with performers from Tamil Nadu showcasing the tribal dance form “Marudham Kalai Kazhugu”, representing the worship of Goddess Durga and Kali through powerful movements and rhythmic chants.
Baiga tribal artists from Madhya Pradesh brought to life the Karama dance, performed around the Karam tree to songs like “Rewa Re Narmada Mai”, celebrating harvest, prosperity, and communal joy. Karama is a popular tribal dance performed during the Bhado month, especially around Dussehra and the arrival of new crops.
In a dazzling display, Khatu Sapera and her group enchanted the crowd with the world-famous Kalbelia dance, known for its swift, graceful movements and snake-like fluidity.
The final performance came again from Tamil Nadu, where 15 artists took the stage to perform Maheswaran Thappattam Kalai, a devotional dance dedicated to the deity, bringing the magical evening to a spiritually uplifting close.
The Lok Rang Festival continues to stand as a testament to India’s cultural unity through diversity, enthralling audiences with music, dance, and traditions from across the country.